Convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit



June 14, 1966 s. WEIZER 3,255,466

CONVERTIBLE AUTO TOP SLEEPER AND CHAISE LONGUE UNIT Filed May 8, 1964 5Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY S. WEIZER June 14, 1966 CONVERTIBLE AUTO TOPSLEEPER AND CHAISE LONGUE UNIT 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 8, 1964 FIG.I2

FIG. l4

FIG.|3

INVENTOR.

IGMO

United States Patent 3,255,466 CONVERTIBLE AUTO TOP SLEEPER AND CHAISELON GUE UNIT Sigmond Weizer, Box 900, Rte. 2, Jupiter, Fla. Filed May 8,1964, S61. N0. 366,195 7 Claims. (Cl. 119) This invention relates to anovel auto top sleeper, and more particularly to an auto top sleeperthat may be easily and quickly converted into a chaise longue, or to asitting lounge.

Auto top sleepers, which have been on the market for a number of yeans,have not attained the popularity that might be expected. They afford avery convenient device which can be used as a bed at night whiletravelling, without the worry of looking for a desirable motel which maybe difficult to find at certain times of the year. If a bed is notneeded, the sleeper affords a convenient luggage compartment outside thecar.

Notwithstanding these advantages, auto top sleepers are not as much indemand as one would imagine, for the principal reason they are onlyseasonal in use, and when not in use require storage space to keep themout of the way. Many people do not consider the initial investmentinvolved in the purchase justifies the limited use merely as a sleepingdevice or as a luggage compantment for a few trips a year.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel auto top sleeperthat is useful the year around,vand does not require any or as muchstorage space when not used as previously known auto top sleepers.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel auto topsleeper having unique structural features enabling it to be quickly andeasily converted from an auto sleeper to other uses, such as a chaiselongue, and vice versa.

It is a still further object to provide a novel convertible auto topsleeper and chaise longue unit having a number of novel constructionalfeatures making it eminently outstanding for its intended purpose.

The attainment of the above and other advantages will be betterunderstood from the following detailed description and from the annexeddrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows my convertible auto top sleeper andchaise longue unit inits closed position, mounted atop an automobile, while travelling;

FIG. 2 shows my convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit inits open position, mounted atop an automobile, for sleeping;

FIG. 3 is a detailed elevation view of my convertible auto top sleeperand chaise longue unit, in open position;

FIG. 4 is an end view of FIG. 3, as seen looking toward the left of FIG.3;

FIG. 5 is a detail of the convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longueunit illustrating a locking latch thereon;

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the canopy section of the convertible autotop sleeper and chaise longue unit, looking upwardly from the interiorthereof;

FIG. 7 is a detailed sectional view through the canopy section takenalong the line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a detailed sectional view through the canopy section takenalong the line 88 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the bed section;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view through the bed section showing a detailthereof, taken along the line lib-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a detail view illustrating one of the props;

FIG. 12 illustrates one of the uses of my convertible auto top sleeperand chaise longue unit to form a sitting lounge;

FIG. 13 illustrates an end view of the sitting lounge of FIG. 12 as seenfrom the left thereof; and

Patented June 14, 1966 FIG. 14 illustrates the unit when used as achaise longue.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4,the convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit is designated inits entirety to the reference numeral 10, and is shown mounted atop anautomobile 12 by automobile top carrier brackets 14 of vacuum cup type.

The convertible unit 10 comprises a lower bed section 16 and an uppercanopy section 18, interconnected at one end by a pair of separablehinge means 20, each having a readily removable hinge pin 22 of a typewell known. A pair of latches, one being shown in FIG. 5 and designated23, are connected with the free end of the bed section 16 and canopysection 18 to secure the free ends together in closed position.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the bed section 16 comprises a frameworkmade up from a plurality of parallel spaced long wooden strips 24 and aplurality of parallel spaced shorter wooden strips 26, interconnected bygluing and/or nailing in a well known manner, and covered with a plywoodpanel 28 forming the base of the bed section. The framework 24 and 26 issecurely attached to a pair of sides 30 and ends 32, forming a generallyrectangular bed section. Angles 34 are attached at each inner corner toprovide additional strength.

A pair of props 38 (FIG. 11) are pivotally supported by bolts 40 passingthrough apertures 42 adjacent one end of each prop, the bolts alsopassing through an aperture in each side 30 near the end thereofopposite the hinged end, as shown in FIG. 9, the outer end of the boltreceiving a cotter pin 44. In lowered position each prop rests on theouter wooden strip 24 in close proximity to the sides 30. Adjacent theouter end of each prop 38 there is an aperture 46 for a purpose to beexplained hereinafter. A pair of legs 36 are attached to the hingecorners.

A handle construction is provided on the hinge end of the bed section16, which consists of a pair of outer strips 48, one end of which may bescrewed (or bolted) onto the outer face of the sides 30 so that the freeend projects beyond the hinged end 32. A pair of in' ner strips 50 aresecured inside the outer strips 48, the strips 50 being of such lengththat one end abuts the outer surface of hinge end 32 while the outer endprojects the same distance as the outer end of the strips 48. The outerends of the strips 48 and 50 are rounded, as shown in FIG. 3, and theouter end of each strip 50 is apertured at 52 to receive one end of ahandle 54. In assembly, a strip 50is permanently secured to a strip 48.One pair of strips 4850 are attached to the side 30 by screws or bolts,one end of the handle 54 is inserted into the aperture 52 of theattached strips, the other end of the handle is inserted into theaperture 52 of the other pair of strips 48-50 and said other pair ofstrips are thensecured to the side 30 by screws or bolts. Thisconstruction permits easy and quick removal of the handle assembly, ifdesired, when the unit is used as an auto top sleeper, and likewisepermits easy and quick assembly when the unit is to be converted to achaise longue unit.

A pair of axle supporting brackets 56 are attached to the bottom edgesof the sides 30 on the ends opposite the hinge end, as shown in FIG. 3,each bracket having an axle receiving aperture to receive an axle 58. Awheel 60 is mounted on each end of the axle and held in place by a wedge62 on each end of the axle.

The canopy section 18 (FIGS. 6, 7 and 8), comprises an outer shell orroof 64 of molded Fiberglas, being slightly longer and wider than thebed section 16 so that the depending side and end edges thereof overlapthe upper edges of the sides 30 and the free end 32 of the attached tothe strip 92 (FIGS. 6 and 7).

bed section 16 with the inner surface of the overlapping depending edgesof the roof 64 abutting the outer surfaces of the overlapped sides 30and end 32, to form a water tight, dust tight, and moisture tightclosure. A pair of side frame pieces 66 and a pair of end frame pieces68 are secured inside the depending edges of the roof 64, beingcontoured to fit within the curved surface of the roof, as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8. The side and end pieces 66 and 68 have the same length asthe sides and ends 30 and 32, respectively, to overlie the sides andends 30 and 32 when the canopy section is lowered over the bed section.

A corner block 70 is secured in each end corner opposite the hinged end,each block having a metal pocket 72 therein opening in a downwarddirection. Each pocket 72 has a felt lining 74 for a purpose to beexplained later herein. A slide bolt assembly 76 is secured to the lowersurface of each block 70 in a position wherein the bolt slides acrossthe outer end of the pocket. When in open position, the props 38 areswung upwardly so that the upper ends of the props are received withinthe pockets 72. In this position, the slide bolts 76 are moved to engagethe apertures 46 in the free ends of the props, to secure the canopy inposition and to prevent the canopy from being raised by the wind. Thefelt lining 74 within the pockets 72 eliminates noises if the canopy isvibrated by the wind.

The depending edge of the hinge end of the roof 64 carries a flexiblesealing strip 78, of rubber or plastic, the strip extending the width ofthe roof, being attached to the lower end of the depending edge by analuminum strip 80, and having a free portion overlying the outer endsand hinge pins 22 of the hinge means 20 and the joint between the upperedge of the hinge end of the bed section and the lower edge of the hingeend of the canopy section. This construction prevents rain and dust fromentering the interior of the unit through the hinge end joint.Weatherproofing and noise eliminating material 82 is attached to thelower edges of the side frame pieces 66 and end frame pieces 68, exceptat those areas 7 occupied by the hinge means 20, to form a dust tight,weather proof seal between the bed section and the canopy section whenclosed, and to eliminate noise.

A number of wooden strips 84 are secured to the inner surface of theroof 64, each strip having a plurality of snaps 86 for a purpose to beset forth later. The number of strips 84- and snaps 86, and theirspacing, can be varied to fit any installation.

A flexible water proof wall 88 and a screen 98 (FIG. 4) form a closurefor the end of the unit opposite the hinge end. The wall 88 is made ofcanvas or other suitable flexible waterproof material, and the screen 90is made of flexible material, which may be cotton mesh or the like. Theupper ends of the wall 88 and screen 90 are attached, as by staples, toa wooden strip 92, and the screen being inside the wall and being firstThe strip 92 is secured to the end framepiece 68 opposite the hinge end,between the corner blocks 70. That portion of the screen 90 whichextends laterally beyond the strip 92 is attached to the corner blocks70 as more clearly shown in FIG. 6. The walls are cut long enough toform hems at the bottom and side edges to receive snap fasteners 94 and114 (FIG. 3). The screen 90 is made long enough to tuck under themattress when in open position, and has snaps n the lower end thereof tobe snapped onto the companion snaps 86 in the roof 64 when it is desiredto fold the screen out of position. The wall 88 may be rolled up andheld in raised position by straps, in a well known manner, asillustrated in broken lines in FIG. 3.

The wall 88 includes a screened opening 96 to permit ventilation whenthe wall is closed down. A flexible flap 98, of semicircular form, isstitched to the inner side of the wall 88 along the straight portion ofthe flap, and.

is of sufficient size to cover the screened opening 95. The flap may bemade of the same material as used for the wall 88. The free edge of theflap 98 carries a slide fastener 100 which may be operated, from theinterior of the unit, to close and to open the screened opening 9-6.

Each side wall of the unit is provided with a flexible waterproof wall102 (FIG. 3), which may be made of the same material used for the wall88. Each side wall has a slide fastener 104 extending from a point nearthe hinged end, following a generally straight line and then curvingupwardly to a point near the roof. The slide fastener may be operated toprovide an access opening, which may be closed from the inside to assureprivacy and protection against inclement weather. A screen 106 isdisposed inside the wall 102, the upper end of the screen 1% and wall102 being attached to strips 108 in the same manner as the wall 88 andscreen 98 are secured to the strip 92, and the strips 108 are secured tothe side frame pieces 66 in the same manner as the strip 92 is securedto the end frame piece 68.

The side flexible waterproof walls 102 and the side screens 106 aregenerally triangular in form, as shown in FIG. 3. The screens 106 aresufliciently long to be tucked under the mattress when in loweredposition, and the vertical edge, remote from the hinged end of the unit,carries a slide fastener 110 adapted to be attached to a mating portionattached to the wall 102.

The lower ends of the walls 102 are hemmed and carry a number of snapfasteners 112 adapted to engage mating fasteners on the outer side ofthe sides 30 to secure the walls down when the canopy is raised, and toengage the mating fasteners 86 in the roof 64 when it is desired to foldthe screens and walls within the unit in closed position. When it isdesired to use the screens 106 without the walls 182, the walls may berolled up and held out of place, as shown on the right of FIG. 4 inbroken lines by straps in a well known manner, or they may be folded andsnapped in such position as shown in broken lines on the left hand sideof FIG. 4.

In open position, extensions on the sides of the end wall 88 are broughtaround the ends of the side walls 102, having snaps 114 thereon toengage mating snaps on the side walls, as shown in FIG. 3.

From the above, it is seen that I have provided a novel convertible unitin which the axle and wheels may be quickly and easily removed to serveas an auto top sleeper. The unit is compact, and the walls and screensare conveniently stored inside the closed unit in such a manner thatthey can be quickly and readily placed in position, when the unit isopened, to give protection against the weather and insects, as well asassuring privacy. Having served as a sleeper, the walls may be readilystored within the unit, the props are lowered, and the canopy section islowered over the bed section and locked thereon.

Instead of storing the unit when not in place on top of an automobile,as is the case with usual top sleepers, the canopy section, whichcarries the screens, side walls and end wall, can be easily detached bywithdrawing the hinge pins 22, permitting ready separation of the canopysection from the bed section. The axle and wheels may be readilyconnected, and if the handle assembly were previously removed, thatassembly can be readily attached by replacing the screws or bolts whichheld it in place. It is not necessary to remove the handle assembly whenusing the unit as an auto top sleeper, as the handle assembly is usefulin handling the unit when placing it atop the auto and when removing it.However, if desired, the handle assembly can be readily removed.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the manner in which the unit can be convertedto a sitting lounge. For this purpose, the wheels may be retained, or,as shown, the axle and wheels can be removed and a pair of legs 121 canbe substituted. A back rest 116 can be provided and held in position bya pair of braces 120. Seat cushions 122 and back cushions 124 completethe seat arrangement. The

canopy section 18 is supported by four props 126 attached at their lowerends to the ends 32, and at their upper ends to the canopy section 18.For ornamentation, a valance 118 may be connected with the canopysection. A pair of end tables 128 may be attached to the ends of the bedsection, if desired.

FIG. 14 illustrates the manner in which the bed section 16, with thecanopy section 18 removed, serves as a chaise longue. A mattress 130 anda pair of bolsters 132, covered with waterproof material, are placed onthe bed section. The mattress 130 and bolsters 132 can also be used whenthe unit is used for an auto top sleeper.

From the foregoing, it is evident that I have invented a novel devicethat can be easily and quickly converted from an auto top sleeper to achaise longue or a sitting lounge, or vice versa, and that the device iseminently suitable for any or all of these purposes.

It will be understood that various changes may be made in the details ofconstruction and in the arrangement of parts of the unit disclosedherein without departing from the principles of the invention and fromthe scope of the annexed claims.

What I claim as new and wish to secure by letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. A convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit, comprising: abed section and a canopy section; readily separable hinge means securingone end of said bed section with one end of said canopy section; propmeans pivotally supported by the other end of one of said sectionsadapted to be raised to engage and to support, in open position, thecanopy section, and when in lowered position, to permit the canopysection to be closed down over said bed section; a handle and legs onone end of said bed section; and a readily removable axle and wheelsthereon on the end of said bed section opposite said handle, wherebysaid hinge means may be separated to provide a chaise longue, andwhereby said axle and wheels may be removed to provide an auto topsleeper.

2. A convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit as definedin-claim 1, wherein said handle is attached to said bed section end byreadily removable means, whereby said handle may be removed when saidunit is converted to an auto top sleeper.

3. A convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit as defined inclaim 1, including flexible waterproof wall means and screen meanssecured to said canopy section, whereby said wall means and said screenmeans may be folded within said unit when said canopy section is loweredover said bed section,-and whereby said wall means and said screen meansare removed with said canopy section when said unit is converted to achaise longue.

4. A convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit as defined inclaim 1, wherein said handle and said hinge means are mounted on thesame end of the unit.

5. A convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit, comprising: abed section and a canopy section; readily separable hinge means securingone end of said bed section with one end of said canopy section; propmeans pivotally supported by the other end of said bed section adaptedto be raised to engage and support, in open position, the canopysection, and when in lowered position, to permit the canopy section tobe closed down over said bed section; legs and a readily removablehandle on one end of said bed section; a readily removable axle andwheels thereon on the end of said bed section opposite said handle; aflexible screen and a flexible waterproof wall means on each of thesides and on the end opposite said hinged end, said screens beingmounted inside said waterproof wall means, readily removable supportingstrips mounted within the canopy section along each side and along theend opposite said hinged end, means securing the upper ends of saidscreens and said waterproof wall means to said supporting strips; snapfasteners on the lower ends of said screens and said wall means andassociated snap fasteners on an inner wall of said canopy section,whereby said screens and said wall means may be folded and securedwithin said canopy section, said canopy section may be removed byseparating said hinge means, and the wheels, axle and handle may beretained to provide a chaise longue unit, or the wheels and axle may beremoved to provide an auto top sleeper.

6. A convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit as defined inclaim 5, including an elongated slot'in each of said side wall means,slide fasteners attached to said slots, a screened opening in said endwall means, a flexible flap on the inner side of said end wall meansoverlying said screen opening, and a slide fastener secured to saidflap.

7. A convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit as defined inclaim 6, including a vertically disposed slide fastener on one end ofeach of said side screens and an adjacent end of each of said side wallmeans permitting the fastening of said screens to said side wall means,a pocket in each inside corner of said canopy section opposite saidhinge means adapted to receive the upper ends of said prop means whenthe latter are in their raised position, an aperture in the free end ofeach of said prop means, and a slide bolt mounted adjacent each of saidpockets adapted to engage said apertures in said prop means when saidprop means are received within said pockets.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,222,636 11/1940Strauss 1-35--1 2,291,900 3/1942 Jimmes 1s5- 1 2,896,650 7/1959 Eigner13s 1 3,018,782 1/1962 I-Iershberger |1 3,021,852 2/1962 Hoffman "135-13,160,434 12/1964 Hedgepeth 135-1X FOREIGN PATENTS 618,404 4/1961Canada.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Examiner.

L. J. SANTISI, R. D. KRAUS, Assistant Examiners.

1. A CONVERTIBLE AUTO TOP SLEEPER AND CHAISE LONGUE UNIT, COMPRISING ABED SECTION AND A CANOPY SECTION; READILY SEPARABLE HINGE MEANS SECURINGONE END OF SAID BED SECTION WITH ONE END OF SAID CANOPY SECTION; PROPMEANS PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED BY THE OTHER END OF ONE SAID SECTIONS ADAPTEDTO BE RAISED TO ENGAGE AND TO SUPPORT, IN OPEN POSITION, THE CANOPYSECTION, AND WHEN IN LOWERED POSITION, TO PERMIT THE CANOPY SECTION TOBE CLOSED DOWN OVER SAID BED SECTION; A HANDLE AND LEGS ON ONE END OFSAID BED SECTION; AND A READILY REMOVABLE AXLE AND WHEELS THEREON ON THEEND OF SAID BED SECTION OPPOSITE SAID HANDLE, WHEREBY SAID HINGE MEANSMAY BE SEPARATED TO PROVIDE A CHAISE LONGUE, AND WHEREBY SAID AXLE ANDWHEELS MAY BE REMOVED TO PROVIDE AN AUTO TOP SLEEPER.